Do I have to pay or should my landlord?

DyldeBrill

Hi all,

I recently moved into a new house where I'm sharing with 3 other people. I knew the house well as it was being rented by a friend of mine so I knew what the place was like.

Before moving in I asked my housemate if there was anything I should be aware of in the house to which he replied NO. Now let me state right here that I still should have checked if everything was ok in the house. I suppose I put it down to trust that everything was fine.

Then - upon moving in, I soon found out that my shower didn't work properly. it basically doesn't work at all. The water literally dribbles out. You would get a better wash if someone weeped over you it's that bad. I basically have to shower in work which shouldn't be the case as I'm paying good rent for this place.

Now for the 2nd issue - the mattress in my room has been giving me awful back trouble which I'm starting to feel the full effects of now. The metal in the mattress itself is popping up and is basically sticking into my back. What I want to know is if it is on me to buy a new one or should the landlord be entitled to change this for me?

Also - on the shower front, the landlord has given me some BS saying that the weak flow may be down to a problem with the mains outside and that excavation work is needed. But there's no weak flow in the kitchen or anywhere else in the house. Plus the water comes from the tank in the attic.

Anyway I won't rant on any longer but I would really appreciate some advice on how I should best go about this.

-Dyl

ted1

Yes, you have to pay. As a tenant you should buy you own mattress and get a good one.
Do you really want to sleep in someone’s else’s Piss filled mattress covered in cum? Would you buy a second hand mattress?

As for the water pressure , what type shower is it? Is it just fed from a cylinder ? The hot water does not come off the mains and is fed by gravity. Which is the height difference between cylinder and shower. If he fitted a pump the problem round be solved. You could raise that with him

The water in the kitchen is usually mains supply where as showers will be from tank in attic and immersion. If it’s a standard shower he just needs to fit a pressure pump, but note, they can be noisy.

The mattress is probably a personal preference, your mate might not have had any problems with it, but you do. A lot of tenants buy their own and bring it with them when they leave.

TheChizler

ted1 wrote: »

Yes, you have to pay. As a tenant you should buy you own mattress and get a good one.
Do you really want to sleep in someone’s else’s Piss filled be covered in cum? Would you buy a second hand mattress?

They will still have to potentially store the old one. I had the same problem the last place I lived. Mentioned it to the agent and a new mattress arrived a few days later. It's always worth asking.

DyldeBrill

I raised the shower issue with him to which he has put it off for months. I've had a plumber come in and look at it where he told me a pump pr an electric shower would fix the issue. However, the ladlord is not willing to get it fixed.

As for the mattress - I'm paying for a furnished house. Mattresses aren't cheap but currenly in the market for a NEW one would you believe.

o1s1n

I have pretty low pressure in my bathroom shower so bought a shower head with really tiny pinholes - really did the trick. Might be worth trying.

antix80

If a mattress is provided, it needs to be in a decent condition. The one you have sounds like it's fit for the bin. Are you sure the landlord provided it, or was it just left behind by the previous tenant?
If I were you I'd buy a new mattress and get the landlord's permission to dispose of the old one. Many shops will dispose of your old mattress when delivering the new one.

As for the rubbish shower. It does sound like something that could be fixed with a new pump. But once there's hot & cold water coming from the shower I'm not sure there's a regulation on acceptable water pressure.

DyldeBrill

I thought as much but didn't want to seem cheeky or sound like a moocher askign for it to be replaced.

I actually wouldn't ask other than my back is killing me. This is good to know.

OSI

OSI wrote: »

Mattress is on the landlord to. If they supplied it, it's on them to maintain and replace it.

Where are you getting that from? Different people like different types and hardness of mattress, hence why many buy their own.

DyldeBrill

That's a good questions. I can't be sure as to who provided it but i'm pretty sure it was the landlord.

I'll have to get a new mattress regardless.

RE the shower, it literally doesn't work. Water does well making its way out but interesting point you make. I've enquired about a pump to which nothing has happened.

DyldeBrill

DyldeBrill wrote: »

That's a good questions. I can't be sure as to who provided it but i'm pretty sure it was the landlord.

I'll have to get a new mattress regardless.

RE the shower, it literally doesn't work. Water does well making its way out but interesting point you make. I've enquired about a pump to which nothing has happened.

I would do what a previous poster recommended, limescale could be blocking the showerhead, remove it and turn water on. If you are getting a reasonable flow without the head, just buy a new one, they are pretty cheap.

DyldeBrill

Dav010 wrote: »

I would do what a previous poster recommended, limescale could be blocking the showerhead, remove it and turn water on. If you are getting a reasonable flow without the head, just buy a new one, they are pretty cheap.

Again, I will replace if needs be but the fact it wasn't in full working order surely leave it up to the landlord to cover the charges. Regardless of whether replacing the shower head is cheap or not.

Also - I know myself that it's not a shower head issue so we can rule that out. Has a plumber look at it and said we needed a pump. Surely it's not on me to get a new pump and pay for it. I'm in the house a mere 3 months.

antix80

DyldeBrill wrote: »

Surely it's not on me to get a new pump and pay for it. I'm in the house a mere 3 months.

Of course it's not. Talk to your landlord.

banie01

If there is a water pump in place, and it is broken.
Then it is up to the LL to replace it.
However if there's no pump and low water pressure, then there's nothing broken, nothing to replace and it's just the way it is.

OP take a look at the limescale fix suggestion earlier in the thread and check if there is/was ever a water pressure pump in place.

Mrs OBumble

Dav010 wrote: »

Where are you getting that from? Different people like different types and hardness of mattress, hence why many buy their own.

If the mattress is on the inventory which the tenant signed when s/he moved in, then it's up to the LL to provide.

If it not, then it's up to the tenant. Same as with sheets and towels, cutlery, delph,toilet seats... and anything not listed in the minimum standard for rentals.

Mrs OBumble

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

If the mattress is on the inventory which the tenant signed when s/he moved in, then it's up to the LL to provide.

If it not, then it's up to the tenant. Same as with sheets and towels, cutlery, delph,toilet seats... and anything not listed in the minimum standard for rentals.

It seems the LL did provide it, op just doesn’t find it comfortable. Though there is a list of minimum requirements, is a mattress on it?

Pawwed Rig

Jesus lads. Using a second hand mattress is disgusting. In all my time renting I always had my own bed. The state of the beds and mattresses in loads of the places I have lived would make you vomit.

As a landlord I treat them as a disposable item. There is no way I am spending 4 figures on a mattress for a tenant who could move out in a few months. So tenant gets a cheap mattress or provides their own.

DyldeBrill

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

Jesus lads. Using a second hand mattress is disgusting. In all my time renting I always had my own bed. The state of the beds and mattresses in loads of the places I have lived would make you vomit.

As a landlord I treat them as a disposable item. There is no way I am spending 4 figures on a mattress for a tenant who could move out in a few months. So tenant gets a cheap mattress or provides their own.

The only issue with the matress is the metal popping up through it. Not sure where you're getting your 4 figure prices. A new mattress that I'm looking for would cost 200 quid.

I think that's a minium cost, especially when I'm paying good money on rent.

ashes2014

I would ask the landlord to replace the mattress and fix the shower.

Running hot water and a comfortable bed are basic and it sounds like you are paying enough rent to be entitled to those.

Xterminator

why would landlord fix a working shower? the pressure is ****e does not equal broken.

Re mattress - if it is structurally faulty then it should be replaced. if ypu find it uncomfortable this does not automatically make it faulty.

DyldeBrill

Xterminator wrote: »

why would landlord fix a working shower? the pressure is ****e does not equal broken.

Re mattress - if it is structurally faulty then it should be replaced. if ypu find it uncomfortable this does not automatically make it faulty.

But the shower isn't working properly...which would suggest that something is faulty and indeed broken. If I can't take a shower then something is wrong.

Re the mattress - structurally it has a big metal lump sticking out of it which is not only dangerous, but has caused me back pain.

Pawwed Rig

DyldeBrill wrote: »

The only issue with the matress is the metal popping up through it. Not sure where you're getting your 4 figure prices. A new mattress that I'm looking for would cost 200 quid.

For €200 you are getting a shyte mattress. You spend more time on it that any other item you own so you should invest in a good one. Decent mattresses cost alot more than that and 4 figures is not unreasonable. A landlord will not buy you a good one (nor should they).

ted1

ted1 wrote: »

Yes, you have to pay. As a tenant you should buy you own mattress and get a good one.
Do you really want to sleep in someone’s else’s Piss filled mattress covered in cum? Would you buy a second hand mattress?

Do you bring your own mattress to a hotel, ? The vast majority of people sleep in the provided mattress and I’ve yet to hear anyone worry about “piss”. I only ever rented in houseshare so god who knows how many people would have slept on mattresses before me and I survived! In my time renting and all the people I know who have been/are renting I’ve never seen anyone’s provide their own mattress.

The mattress should be provided by the LL, try turning it over to see how it is on the other side otherwise request a new one if it really is that bad.

I wouldn’t dream of buying my own mattress for a rental, if nothing else you’ve no idea if it’s going to suit in the next place if you have to move.

BarryD2

OP, you can get mattress toppers or a thin mattress, like a futon and just roll it out on top of existing. Get a suitable stiffness and that should help with the back. Easier to take this with you as well when you move on.

GooglePlus

If the water is dribbling out like the OP said, then there is a problem. Low pressure is a problem and it needs to be looked at, with the costs incurred covered by the Landlord.

A mattress also shouldn't have springs protruding into your back, so this clearly needs to be replaced by the landlord.

With the cost of renting, the least you should expect is a decent shower and a bed that won't cripple you.

Mad_maxx

Both issues are the responsibility of the landlord

If the mattress issue arose a few years after you moved in, different story but it was unfit for purpose from day one

Mad_maxx

Xterminator wrote: »

why would landlord fix a working shower? the pressure is ****e does not equal broken.

Re mattress - if it is structurally faulty then it should be replaced. if ypu find it uncomfortable this does not automatically make it faulty.

The springs are sticking out, it's fcuked

DyldeBrill

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

For €200 you are getting a shyte mattress. You spend more time on it that any other item you own so you should invest in a good one. Decent mattresses cost alot more than that and 4 figures is not unreasonable. A landlord will not buy you a good one (nor should they).

Anything is better than the one I currently have. there'll be no metal sticking up into my back.

I'm looking for a basic cover of what's there. Again, never mentioned a 4 figure mattress.

DyldeBrill

BarryD2 wrote: »

OP, you can get mattress toppers or a thin mattress, like a futon and just roll it out on top of existing. Get a suitable stiffness and that should help with the back. Easier to take this with you as well when you move on.

I've just Googles them there - think this is exactly what I need. Might be the solution I was looking for!

AlanG

If the mattress is over 8 years old you may have some right to have it replaced but Revenue that beds should last at least 8 years. If you accepted it when you moved in then you may be just as well to buy your own. Personally I would ask but you will probably end up with a des Kelly chap mattress.

As for the shower, if the only solution the plumber could suggest was a pump it sounds like you are just used to power showers, If the shower provided is working as designed then it is unlikely you have any argument to get it upgraded.

Are you on the contract for the house? If not then it is between the person on the contract and the landlord. Also remember if the property is in a RPZ you may be paying anything up to 1000 per month less than the market rent so the LL may not feel investing in the property is worth while as they cannot benefit from any improvements.

Graces7

BarryD2 wrote: »

OP, you can get mattress toppers or a thin mattress, like a futon and just roll it out on top of existing. Get a suitable stiffness and that should help with the back. Easier to take this with you as well when you move on.

That will not help with a mattress like this as it will give no support.

Pawwed Rig

DyldeBrill wrote: »

Anything is better than the one I currently have. there'll be no metal sticking up into my back.

I'm looking for a basic cover of what's there. Again, never mentioned a 4 figure mattress.

And that is my advice to you. Buy your own as the landlord will buy a cheap yoke that is no good for you. Your back in 20 years will thank me for this advice.

You don't have to take my advice which is the point of the forum I thought.

DyldeBrill

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

And that is my advice to you. Buy your own as the landlord will buy a cheap yoke that is no good for you. Your back in 20 years will thank me for this advice.

You don't have to take my advice which is the point of the forum I thought.

All advice is much appreciated and thank you for taking the time to post

TBH I might just have to get myself a mattress in the end but it's the shower that's a major problem for me really.

Pawwed Rig

DyldeBrill wrote: »

TBH I might just have to get myself a mattress in the end but it's the shower that's a major problem for me really.

Yeah he should fix that. Might be just limescale though which should be easy enough to resolve

BarryD2

Graces7 wrote: »

That will not help with a mattress like this as it will give no support.

Why not? A layer of cardboard costs nothing, lay it on top of existing mattress, futon on top and be grand. Roll it up and take away when moving out.

syndrome777

with the amount of rent you pay , you should get a new matters if the existing one is s***.

Even the bare minimmum seems like a luxury here when renting.

Graces7

BarryD2 wrote: »

Why not? A layer of cardboard costs nothing, lay it on top of existing mattress, futon on top and be grand. Roll it up and take away when moving out.

Neither cardboard nor futon will support if the underlying mattress is shot. It would work if you removed the broken mattress and added futon to the bed base.. op referred to springs poking out.
Best way of all is make the landlord replace the mattress and no improvisation.

Worst mattress I even had in a rental was a one inch thick felt pad... you could feel the wooden slats of the base.

CosmicFool

Do people read the comments from the OP at all?

OP, ring citizens information and see if they can point you in the right direction on how to handle the landlord.

The shower is defiantely on the landlord. It's not working, doesn't matter if it wasn't working When the Op moved in, it's still not working and it is 100% on the landlord to get it fixed.

The mattress I would presume it would be on the landlord as the house was furnished but again I've always brought my own mattress to places I've rented. As others have said sleeping on a mattress that's been used by someone else is just awful.

CosmicFool

CosmicFool wrote: »

Do people read the comments from the OP at all?

OP, ring citizens information and see if they can point you in the right direction on how to handle the landlord.

The shower is defiantely on the landlord. It's not working, doesn't matter if it wasn't working When the Op moved in, it's still not working and it is 100% on the landlord to get it fixed.

The mattress I would presume it would be on the landlord as the house was furnished but again I've always brought my own mattress to places I've rented. As others have said sleeping on a mattress that's been used by someone else is just awful.

We have read the ops posts, but can you show us where the minimum water pressure requirements are? The op had a plumber out who said water pressure is poor, that may not be the LLs fault and anyone who has a pressure pump in their house will tell you that this can also create issues due to noise. The LL may not be able to fit an electric shower if there are 2 in the house already or if it is not possible to wire it back directly to main fuse box.

Different people like different mattresses and I am not aware, nor have I ever read that a landlord is responsible for buying new ones for each tenant.

CosmicFool

Dav010 wrote: »

We have read the ops posts, but can you show us where the minimum water pressure requirements are? The op had a plumber out who said water pressure is poor, that may not be the LLs fault and anyone who has a pressure pump in their house will tell you that this can also create issues due to noise. The LL may not be able to fit an electric shower if there are 2 in the house already or if it is not possible to wire it back directly to main fuse box.

Different people like different mattresses and I am not aware, nor have I ever read that a landlord is responsible for buying new ones for each tenant.

Again it's the landlords problem to fix. The shower isn't working. He needs to get it fixed. Doesn't matter if its water pressure or some other issue.

I never said the landlord was responsible for buying a new mattress for each new tenant. I'm saying he needs to provide a mattress that doesn't have metal sticking out of it and as I said to the OP if it was me I would just buy my own and not use one already there for obvious sanitary reasons.

jimmycrackcorm

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

Jesus lads. Using a second hand mattress is disgusting. In all my time renting I always had my own bed. The state of the beds and mattresses in loads of the places I have lived would make you vomit.

As a landlord I treat them as a disposable item. There is no way I am spending 4 figures on a mattress for a tenant who could move out in a few months. So tenant gets a cheap mattress or provides their own.

How do you feel about hotel beds where thousands of people have slept on the same mattress before you?

CosmicFool

CosmicFool wrote: »

Again it's the landlords problem to fix. The shower isn't working. He needs to get it fixed. Doesn't matter if its water pressure or some other issue.

I never said the landlord was responsible for buying a new mattress for each new tenant. I'm saying he needs to provide a mattress that doesn't have metal sticking out of it and as I said to the OP if it was me I would just buy my own and not use one already there for obvious sanitary reasons.

If it is the mains pressure, you want him to go outside and dig up the road?

I just had a look back through the thread, the op makes no mention of other showers in the house, I assume his isn’t the only one. What is the water pressure like in the others op? Did your plumber take off the shower head or check the water pressure in other rooms?

the_pen_turner

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

How do you feel about hotel beds where thousands of people have slept on the same mattress before you?

your better off not thinking about these kinds of things

whisky_galore

Don't people sleep on mattresses someone's already slept on in hotels and airbnbs? Honestly people are so precious.

sparkledrum

It's perfectly reasonable to ask the landlord to replace the mattress if it's in such bad condition. Is the shower just for you or is it shared with others? If it's shared, how do the others feel about it? I would definitely pursue it with the landlord.

CosmicFool

Dav010 wrote: »

If it is the mains pressure, you want him to go outside and dig up the road?

I just had a look back through the thread, the op makes no mention of other showers in the house, I assume his isn’t the only one. What is the water pressure like in the others op? Did your plumber take off the shower head or check the water pressure in other rooms?

Ah C'mere. Clearly not. But what he could do is not ignore the Op and not fob it off and maybe ring the council or Irish water to investigate if there is a problem at the mains. But as the op has said the water pressure if fine in the rest of the house.
He's had a plumber in to say that there's a pressure issue with the shower so a bit more investigation is needed. Maybe a blocked pipe? A valve turned off? Maybe an airlock? Could be plenty of reasons but again the landlord has ignored the Op and just said it's a problem at the mains to fob him off.
The landlord should be getting a plumber in to have a look to see what the problem is because we're all just speculating at the moment.

It's the landlords problem to fix and no one else's. The landlord need a to sort out the problem and get someone to have a look and not the tenants.

Graces7

whisky_galore wrote: »

Don't people sleep on mattresses someone's already slept on in hotels and airbnbs? Honestly people are so precious.

Not that I use hotels etc. but the same applies to hospitals too of course. Would take a cover with you. First thing I do in a new rental; impermeable, clean cover on mattress etc.

ted1

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

How do you feel about hotel beds where thousands of people have slept on the same mattress before you?

Good hotels change their mattresses regularly enough. You’ll also stay a few days max.

ted1

Dav010 wrote: »

If it is the mains pressure, you want him to go outside and dig up the road?

Showers aren’t fed off the mains. So no digging required.
The cold water goes to a storage tank in the attic and the hot water comes from the cylinder.

Pawwed Rig

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

How do you feel about hotel beds where thousands of people have slept on the same mattress before you?

Hotels have a vested interest in protecting their mattresses and use covers and barriers to ensure that fluids stay off them. They are also replaced periodically and are of good quality to begin with. It is not a like for like comparison.

Mrs OBumble

Dav010 wrote: »

IThough there is a list of minimum requirements, is a mattress on it?

No: neither beds, nor mattresses need to be provided.

But if the LL does provide them, they need to be useable.